DUP leader in bid to finalise 'totally transparent' agreement with Theresa May

Eddie Kim

"I think that this agreement will bring the prospects of doing a deal at Stormont closer because this will have a positive impact in relation to Northern Ireland", Foster said, adding that a second deal on power sharing in the province could be reached this week too.

Church leaders have urged Northern Ireland's politicians that "the most vulnerable are at greater risk" if they can not strike a power-sharing deal.

May's Conservative Party lost its parliamentary majority at the country's general election earlier this month and faced the unappealing prospect of forming a minority government.

"Furthermore, with no executive there has been comparatively little co-ordinated local input into the Brexit discussions and even less detailed preparation for what lies ahead for Northern Ireland and the island as a whole".

Some senior Conservatives have voiced unease at a deal with the DUP, saying it could put at risk the 1998 peace settlement in Northern Ireland, known as the Good Friday Agreement.

The agreement was signed by Tory chief whip Gavin Williamson and the DUP's Sir Jeffrey Donaldson while Mrs May and Mrs Foster, along with Damian Green and Nigel Dodds, watched on.

This morning, Ireland's church leaders have written to all of the Northern parties, urging them to reach a deal on power sharing.

A three-page document outlining the agreement has been published by the Government. With the support of the 10 DUP lawmakers, May would have a majority if all her lawmakers support her.

There were some warnings last week that crisis talks aimed at restoring powersharing may not be resolved by the June 29 deadline.

The DUP has made it clear it will only agree a deal if it delivers tangible benefits for Northern Ireland in terms of jobs and investment in health and education. "Northern Ireland needs a functioning devolved government at this important time".

First Secretary of State Mr Green said the Conservatives "could have" continued without signing the deal.

"Secondly, this deal is good for Northern Ireland because the support we are giving makes it more possible for an Executive to be formed". The neutral speaker, an independent and seven members of Northern Ireland's Sinn Fein, who refuse to take their seats, account for the remainder.

The Cabinet minister said the extra cash did not mean there would be more money for Wales or Scotland under the Barnett formula of allocating cash.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the deal was "not in the national interest". "Cuts to vital public services must be halted right across the United Kingdom, not just in Northern Ireland".

"The Government must immediately answer two questions: Where is the money for the Tory-DUP deal coming from?" The result left May with no option but to secure a deal with a minority party in order to pass her legislative agenda through Parliament and avoid a vote of no confidence.

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